What did you have in mind? Whatever it is, I've gone ahead and rotated our best engineers who were on Barrow to Ramsey. Maybe we'll get this done properly for once.
First I'd like to know where we've left off. Any progress on the wreck scans? I could finish that one up if no one bothered. If that's done, then we'll just put what we've learn to practice. Reinforce some points on the superstructure, and come up with some part replacement for the forward gun. I reckon that's going to be the major refit this ship will need.
We might need to make our own design, something a lot less sophisticated. That can be put off for later, but it should still be on the list.
No, there's been no scans of any wreckage uploaded. But, funnily enough, a separate deposit of funds was created to incentivise it. That money is now just sitting there, so I have no qualms redirecting the funds towards this project.
As much as the notion of original engineering excites me, I'm not sure how we'd even start a project like that. It'll have to be long-term, since we have zero expertise when it comes to designing weaponry of that scale.
I'm also fairly sure that everyone that will end up involved on a project like that is going to have completely different ideas. Ranging from oversized bullet to EMP. I'll start some consultation in this regard and report back with what I get in response.
Guess I know what's the first order of business on that list. I'll ought to get the scans myself.
By that, I mostly meant a set of parts or a kit that is as close to the original as we can get. It would be "new" the same way our fighters were. Straight out of a museum.
▼ Incoming transmission.
▼ Signal source: Relay 4413
▼ Opening video feed...
Sender:Nathan "Contender" Reynolds Recipient:Damien Morreti Subject:Finish line
Damien,
I've taken the liberty (get it?) to get all of the scans needed for the project. I know it isn't required for the final assembly, but at least this might push the project in the right direction. It wasn't the easiest to sneak around Liberty and take scans of wrecked siege cruisers, but you'd be surprised how much freedom a silly alias and some knowledge of the place gets you.
I came from the direction of Omicron Nu. It wasn't my intention to find any wrecks here, until I recalled the Bikini debris field. Did we ever find out what happened with those ships?
None of these were in acceptable condition, but that's to be expected. Irradiated like the Dallas incident, both of these sufferent wear and tear to the engines. Probably running on emergency power for way too long before the inevitable happened. With that considered, they are still remarkably intact. Sure, unuseable and completely shredded by the radiation. The composition is sturdy enough that these engines will serve us for a long while.
From what I've seen the design didn't change much at all. Thus, the engines should be low on the priority list for the first batch of new parts. They should last long with whatever shoddy repairs we can give them under the conditions that exist.
This one is marginally more interesting. Intact enough for some proper scans, but the damage on it was just straight up unfortunate. Luckiest shot of the century, a kinetic penetrator ripped the bridge clean off. Nothing to learn from this one, other than the obvious. Don't charge at something heavier than you are.
Getting into Kansas for these was not an easy task. Learning how to mask your sensor profile to show up as noise was and always will be a useful trick, but I digress. These three are the ones we can use. All of them with extremely similar battle-damage. A composite scan will tell you all about it. Overused and undermaintained forward guns don't do well when damaged by gunfire. The generators, coils, and everything else in the centerline of the hull also got it rough. No wonder, it is vulnerable and moderately sensitive. If we ever needed parts, these will be it. Priority -number one, I'd even go as far as to bolt some armor to the side of the hull to minimize the damage. Plus, the gun itself. Self-explanatory.
This one is just a bonus. Really looks like an album cover, or an art piece.
With that, I think the engineers can finish the rest, I did whatever was needed. I didn't miss sleeping in a Spatial that's for sure.
Withholding vital information from you was a mistake, one I'd like to think I've learned from.
Figured I'd keep you informed of new developments. You probably heard it from Ridgenose directly or what's left of Vincent himself. But not only is he still alive and I've managed to strike something of a truce with him. I hoped this would put me at ease, at least a little, but it hasn't and I guess I'll take that to the grave instead.
With that development I thought I'd undo what's now essentially a pointless feud by petitioning the LFR to repeal the notice that disavowed you. That went as well as expected, even though I stipulated that the proposal didn't absolve the act or reinstate your positions. It was only meant to serve as a way to let you come back to the LFR and live there by your own means, you deserve at least that much after what I instigated you into doing.
But that didn't matter. I tried appealing the landslide rejection, but it ended the same way. A few snide remarks and personal jabs to boot, nothing I haven't already heard before.
I know some, if not all of you won't want to come back, but I at least wanted to keep the option open. It's just.. I feel like this was all for nothing now.
I did know about the Vincent situation. Considering he was one of the reasons for the events that have transpired, this stings a bit. I got a few ideas on the matter but let's not get into that. I'm guessing it is just a simple truce, nothing more. Side question, did Section 8 complain already that you didn't do a good enough job at killing him? If they did, please withhold that information. You know my stance on doing someone else's dirty work.
I appreciate the gesture. Same way I appreciate a replacement engine when I needed a set of guns. Even if that notion passed, you know exactly how that would go. We'd be treated just the same way; like common traitors. I would eventually roll some loudmouth up into a 4 by 4 cube, then spend the rest of my days in a cell if not shot on the spot.
Think of it from my situation. It was all for nothing. Sure I'll live, but this isn't how I imagined it. Probably the furthest from it. Thank you for trying to open up that option at least.